Mae Stevens Early Learning Academy

We are pleased to share some exciting news regarding our ongoing Scholastic Book Fair this week. To accommodate those who may not be able to visit during regular school hours, we are pleased to offer an additional shopping opportunity.
Tomorrow, October 16, 2025, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., the Book Fair will be open on campus exclusively for evening shopping. We encourage you to take advantage of this unique opportunity to support our Fall Scholastic Book Fair.
Thank you for your continued support!

The week of October 13, 2025, Mary Kay Richmond chose Trudi David for the “Paws”itive Pathfinder Award. We are honored to present the Pawsitive Pathfinder Award to Mrs. Trudi David, a true embodiment of warmth, compassion, and positivity at MSELA. Each morning, Mrs. David begins her day by greeting every student who steps off the bus with a warm smile or a comforting hug—small moments that make a big difference and remind our students that they are truly seen and loved. Whether she’s gently comforting a child in need, guiding her class through thoughtful library discussions, or checking in on fellow staff with genuine care, Trudi brings a spirit of kindness and support to everything she does. Even when faced with a new class and teaching partner this year, she embraced the challenge with grace, positivity, and a can-do attitude. Her presence uplifts our campus community every single day, and we are truly blessed to have her as part of our MSELA family.

The week of October 13, 2025, Sara Janidlo chose Cori Wilkerson for the Tireless Teacher Award. It is with great admiration and gratitude that we present the Tireless Teacher Award to Ms. Cori Wilkerson. Cori is a warm, calming presence whose deep empathy and unwavering kindness create a true classroom family year after year. She is a model of dedication—not only to her students but also to her fellow educators. Whether she's mentoring new teachers, organizing support systems, or simply asking how she can help or grow, Cori leads with heart and humility. As the campus mentor organizer, she ensures every newcomer feels equipped, supported, and welcome, always keeping her door—and her mind—open. Ms. Wilkerson goes above and beyond in every sense, and we are deeply thankful for the incredible impact she makes each and every day.

Scholastic Book Fair this week at Mae Stevens Early Learning Academy.

The week of October 6, 2025, Sherry Amagliani chose Mary Kay Richmond for the "Paws"itive Pathfinder Award.
This week, it is my honor to award the "Paws"itive Pathfinder Award to Mary Kay Richmond. Mary Kay has taken on the responsibility of managing the library with enthusiasm and excellence, and the students absolutely love it! The excitement in the air when they walk into the library is palpable, as they eagerly anticipate storytime, playing at the centers, and now, checking out books.
Mary Kay's ability to connect with ouryounger students is truly remarkable-she is firm but fair, always ensuring a positive and welcoming environment. She's made an impressive effort to learn each child's name, which speaks volumes about her dedication. Beyond her work in the library, Mary Kay brightens everyone's day by walking the halls before work, greeting each employee with a warm "hello11 and a smile. Her kindness and positive energy are contagious, and she truly lights up our little campus. Congratulations, Mary Kay! You are so deserving of this award, and we are lucky to have you with us!

The week of October 6, 2025, Paula Hunter chose Sara Janidlo for the Tireless Teacher Award. It is with great pleasure that we present the Tireless Teacher Award to Sara Janidlo. Sara consistently demonstrates unwavering patience, resilience, and an infectious positive attitude, especially when working with students who face significant challenges. She approaches each day with a calm demeanor, creating a nurturing environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed. Always looking for innovative ways to support her students, Sara's commitment to their growth is truly inspiring.
Beyond her classroom dedication, she is a valuable
resource to her colleagues, always ready to lend a helping hand. Her expertise in special education tracking and documentation has been an invaluable asset, and her willingness to share her knowledge and experience has greatly benefited our entire team. Sara's dedication and collaborative spirit make her an exceptional teacher and an irreplaceable part of our community.

Douglas the Traveling Dragon from our Literacy Center has made new friends this week by visiting Mrs. Hunter’s classroom. Her students have demonstrated exceptional manners and active participation in book discussions at the Literacy Center. Douglas will remain with the class for a week to observe the remarkable activities taking place in their daily routine

Congratulations to our Staff Member of the Month for September, Noemi Carranza-Juarez, and our Teacher of the Month, Mandy Hunt! These awards are determined by peer recognition, and both individuals exemplify remarkable patience and resilience. We deeply appreciate the dedication and hard work of Mrs. Carranza-Juarez and Ms. Hunt. Thank you for all that you do!

In Mrs. Straley's class, students participate in a Star Jar system. Each time a student demonstrates good behavior or shows kindness and helpfulness toward a peer, they are allowed to add a star to the jar. Once the jar is full, the class earns a reward. Recently, the reward for filling the jar was a delightful classroom balloon party, which the students thoroughly enjoyed.

Reminder: Mae Stevens Puppy PTO Meeting/Officer Elections. This Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025 9:45 am. or 4:30 p.m. We look forward to seeing you.

Douglas the Dragon from our Literacy Center has made new friends this week by visiting Mrs. Zimmer-Clark’s classroom. Her students have demonstrated exceptional manners and active participation in book discussions at the Literacy Center. Douglas will remain with the class for a week to observe the remarkable activities taking place in their daily routine.

The week of September 22, 2025, Becky Henrich chose Fred Bunnell for the “Paws”itive Pathfinder Award. It is with immense gratitude and admiration that we present the "Paws"itive Pathfinder Award to Fred Bunnell. Fred has a heart full of compassion for our little ones, always displaying patience and kindness toward every student and staff member. He has a remarkable ability to listen and truly hear each child, even when their needs go unspoken. Whether it’s comforting a student or calmly guiding them through an emotional moment, Fred’s presence is a source of reassurance and stability. To the children, he feels like family—someone they can trust, no matter the circumstances. His dedication to nurturing the social and emotional growth of our students is evident in everything he does, and it’s clear that he loves both his job and the children he serves. Fred is an incredible blessing to our campus, and we are excited to see how much our students will continue to flourish under his guidance this year.

The week of September 22, 2025, Krystal Johnson chose Becki Cooper for the Tireless Teacher Award. It is with great admiration and respect that we award Becki Cooper the Tireless Teacher Award for her unwavering dedication and compassion toward her students. Becki consistently goes above and beyond, often staying late after school to provide additional academic support and ensure that every student has the resources they need to thrive. Her commitment to their success is evident not just in her hours, but in the genuine care she shows for each individual student’s growth and well-being. Becki's influence extends beyond the classroom, creating an environment where every student feels valued and empowered to reach their fullest potential. Her tireless efforts are truly making a lasting, positive impact on their learning journeys.

In Ms. Hunt and Mrs. Collier's class, we dedicated Science Friday to investigating our sense of taste. By employing our five senses, we examined diverse foods, identifying variations in their spicy, sweet, salty, and crunchy properties. Our Science Friday exploration of the senses was truly enlightening.

It’s Bulldawg Homecoming 2025, and we at Mae Stevens Early Learning Academy are ardently supporting our team in tonight's game. Students and staff proudly donned their blue and gold attire. Let’s go, Dawgs!

Douglas serves as our school's traveling library dragon. Each week, a class is selected based on their exemplary library manners and active participation in book discussions. Douglas arrives at the chosen classroom on Thursdays and is collected the following Wednesday afternoon to prepare for the next class visit. Teachers are encouraged to document Douglas's adventures throughout the week with photographs, which will be displayed on the Dragon Readers of the Week bulletin board. Having Douglas in the classroom instills a sense of responsibility in students as they guide him in navigating the Pre-K environment.

The Parent Advisory Council convened for the first time this school year, and we are fortunate to have such an exceptional group of parents and families. During our meeting, we discussed the Campus Policy and Compact, along with various other agenda items. Thank you to all who attended; it appears to be a promising year for our campus P.A.C.
If you were unable to attend the meeting, please reach out to Sandra Ziehlke, Parent & Community Outreach Coordinator, at 254-547-8289 or email ziehlkes@ccisd.com to schedule an appointment and we will ensure you are updated on the relevant information.

This week's color is yellow, and we experienced rays of sunshine illuminating the campus. Here are a few moments we captured today.

Today in gym class with Coach Crawford, Mrs. Petet's students participated in a game called Fitness Ball. Coach provided instructions on the gameplay, which involves tagging opponents; once a student is tagged, they must proceed to the safe zone, perform five jumping jacks, and then return to the game. The students are benefiting from a vigorous workout during physical education.